Alberto Del Rio's World Title Run Was Doomed to Fail

Alberto Del Rio is still in the title hunt after losing his world title to Dolph Ziggler on post-WrestleMania Raw. The WWE’s faith in Ziggler was demonstrated by giving him a proper moment that wasn’t overshadowed by anyone else that night. It also displayed how little faith the WWE has in Del Rio.

Alberto Del Rio’s world title run was doomed to fail from the start.

Let’s reminisce with his abrupt face turn at December’s TLC pay-per-view. He turned face after saving his ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, from getting attacked by 3MB. That was the face turn. Saving Rodriguez from Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre, three guys who haven’t risen from their jobber status, caused the turnover.

The consequence was a series of matches for Del Rio to tag with a legend and The Miz, who also turned babyface in a matter of minutes. Fans never really got into the face Del Rio, until an interesting opportunity arose.

Del Rio won the title and defeated the Big Show in a last man standing match on SmackDown, which, by the way, only happened because of Big Show’s contract, according to WrestleZone. Show’s contract negotiations were down to the wire, causing the title change and putting the focus on Del Rio.

It contradicted another report by F4WOnline.com (via WrestlingInc.com), stating the company put the title on Del Rio to reach their Hispanic demographic. That report came out a week before the news of Big Show’s contract.

Regardless, the WWE tried to get Del Rio over. Unfortunately, Rodriguez is more over than Del Rio. Every time he announces Del Rio to the crowd, they announce along with him.

This reaction from the fans hurt Del Rio and put another wrinkle in his continuing feud with Show and battles with Jack Swagger. It’s gotten to the point where Del Rio and Rodriguez need each other to stay relevant.

This brings us to the post-WrestleMania Raw, or preferably called, "the insult to injury." People called for Ziggler during Del Rio’s handicap match against Swagger and Zeb Colter, just like Del Rio’s successful title defense at WrestleMania 29. When Ziggler came out and won the title, the fans erupted. Del Rio’s title run was over.

As you can see, Del Rio was a paper champion. He was just there to hold it until someone else the WWE had more faith in eventually became champion. He had the opportunity to succeed, but he was unable to get that amazing reaction and following that the big names in the WWE get.

Quite obviously from the beginning, Alberto Del Rio’s world title run was doomed to fail. It’s a damn shame, because Del Rio’s an excellent ring worker. He just couldn’t develop that strong bond with fans, which led to the culmination of his failed title run.